tallman



(No Model.) Y

I. DE V. WARNER 8L J. 0. TALLMAN. Stlffener for Corsets, 8L0

No. 241,100.v

6 4% (MGM N, PETERS, Mata-Lithographer, Walhlngtom n. c.

NiTEI STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRA DE VER WARNER AND JOHN C. TALLMAN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

STIFFENER FOR CORSETS, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,100, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed May 19, 1880. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, IRA DE VER WARNER and JOHN G. TALLMAN, of Bridgeport, Fairfield county, Connecticut, haveinvented an Improved stiffener for Corsets, &c., of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to produce a substitute for the stiffeners or ribs of whalebone and horn heretofore used in corsets, bustles, and other articles of wearing-apparel.

1n carrying out our invention we produce a springstiffener by binding together a series of straight strips or fibers of tampico. fiber, which, when confined in bundles of proper size and shape, will constitute flexible elastic substitutes for ordinary stiffening-ribs of whalebone or horn. We have discovered that tampico fibers or stalks when thus bound together form a blade which is stiff, elastic, and as little affected by the heat of the body and perspiration as ordinary bones or horn, and that the blade thus made is a most excellent substitute for whalebone and horn, and much cheaper.

In making such ribs a bundle of tampico stalks, a, Figure 1 of the accompanying drawin gs, may be bound by an outer wrapperformed by binding, plaiting, or braiding threads over the same; or the fibers may be united by metal bands 6, Figs. 2 and 3, in the form of fiat or round blades. The blades may be flattened c by pressure, and, if desired, may be heated, as tampico, when heated, will become tempered and stiffened. This treatment of the fibers, although advantageous and constituting the subject-matter of anoth er application, is not essen- 3 5 tial, as we make a most efi'ective stiffener by binding the fibers firmly together, and the rib thus formed, which constitutes the subject of this application, has proved to be a most avail' able substitute for the ordinary ribs of whale- 4o bone and horn, while costing much less.

We do not here claim the mode of manufacture by pressure between heated surfaces; but

We claim- As a new article of manufacture, a corset 5 stiffener or rib composed of a series of stilf straight elastic fibers of talnpico held together by an external binding, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our 50 names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I. DE VER \NARNER. JOHN G. TALLMAN.

Witnesses:

- G. A. STAPLES, P. M. CARY. 

